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Okay, not as impressive as Macy's, the quirky Jacksonport Thanksgiving Parade featured a balloon on Thursday. The parade holds the unique distinction of marching four blocks and doubling-back for a second view. Read about the parade with more photos in the Nov. 25 edition of the Door County Advocate. Tina M. Gohr/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin
Tina M. Gohr/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin

Thanksgiving parade judges Sherrill Eichler of Baileys Harbor, center, with daughters Becky Clayton of Eagler River, left, and Lunette Eichler of Sheridan, Ill., right, select the Neighbor To Neighbor float as the winner of parade contest by one point. "There were many great costumes, but theirs were perfect for Thanksgiving. Just a slight edge,'' commented Clayton.
Tina M. Gohr/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin

JACKSONPORT - The 21st annual Thanksgiving parade may have been a few minutes late, but it was worth the wait. Parade announcer Craig Trost further surmised “This parade is so nice, you can see it twice.’’

Microphone in hand, Trost announced sponsors of the dozen or so units as they passed his parade stand from a deck at Island Fever Rum Bar & Grill, on the corner of State 57 and Door County V.

The parade kicked off at the nearby Jacksonport Fire Department on V and marched east to 57. Participants took a sharp right and paraded another couple of blocks before the route doubled back and returned to the fire department.

Parade time, including the about-face, stretched to a half hour. As far as officials can determine, it’s the only parade in the state with a “twice as nice’’ view.

And what are your turkey plans?

“We have smoked turkey,’’ said Neil Saindon, wearing a knee-length Scottish kilt along the parade route. The Saindons were hosting eight people, sharing two 16-pound turkeys at nearby Clarks Lake.

There won’t be a turkey in the oven at the Enrights' on Kangaroo Lake. The large group gathered for a photograph waiting for the parade to begin. They will be sharing Thanksgiving with relatives from Appleton, Waupaca, Sussex and Green Bay.

“One turkey will be deep fried and the other smoked,’’ said Will Enright.

John and Jane Whitney of Baileys Harbor will be celebrating Thanksgiving on Sunday.

Both wearing stylish turkey-shaped hats, Mark and Amy Sobczak of Chicago have been observing Thanksgiving the past 20 years in Door County. They drive up each holiday and rent a house in Baileys Harbor.

The families of Cinealis, Gebler and Scerpella have devoted their past eight Thanksgivings marching in the parade. Costumed in handcrafted Star Wars outfits, about dozen of the lightsaber clan from Southeast Wisconsin with a large welcoming banner in red, yellow and blue lettering “May The Turkey Be With You Jacksonport.’’

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Nicole Krishka adjusts the large bow on her miniature horse "Sam'' during the parade.(Photo: Tina M. Gohr/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin)

There were also goats, dogs and horses in the parade. The Sevastopol-Gibraltar combination marching bands played holiday tunes and a unit calling themselves “Jacksonport Redneck Klub’’ roasted hot dogs over coals in a wheelbarrow, and passed out a few of the hot dogs along the route. Candy was dispersed by the handfuls.

Adorned in fire-engine red, Santa was pushed along the route in a wheelchair.

The “Neighbor To Neighbor’’ unit took the first place prize of $100 in this year’s parade contest by one point. The Rednecks were runners-up.

Assisted by Gibraltar High School’s DECA Club, donations and money from raffles Thursday benefited local organizations including the Feed and Clothe My People Christmas Profile program.